Trump eases rules on bringing big‑game trophies to US

President Trump’s decision would in effect overturn a ban on elephant trophies from Zimbabwe and ZambiaALICIA WIRZ/PA

President Trump’s administration has made a surprise decision to allow some big game trophies into the US after saying that the ban on such imports would be upheld.

The Fish and Wildlife Service said that it would approve quarry hunted from six African nations to be brought into the US “case by case”.

The decision would in effect overturn a ban put in place by Barack Obama on elephant trophies from two of the six countries, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Restrictions on trophies of elephants, lions and antelope hunted in Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia are also being relaxed.